2010 WEG: YMCA of Central Kentucky to open facilities to guests of the 2010 Games

August 12, 2010

LEXINGTON, KY - The YMCA of Central Kentucky joins the World Games 2010 Foundation in welcoming guests from around the world during the 16 days of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, by providing facilities to athletes and guests who want to stay active during their visit.

Any person attending or participating in the Games will be allowed free guest access to the Y’s facility branches, which include Beaumont Centre Family Y, High Street Y, and North Lexington Family Y, for the duration of the Games.

“With YMCA’s located in 124 countries worldwide, this is a great opportunity for our association to welcome the world to our community,” said Jim Kelsey, marketing and communications director for the YMCA of Central Kentucky. “We’re excited to welcome new friends from all over the world while continuing to serve this community.”

The Y has been serving the Lexington community since 1853, and is a non-profit, volunteer organization with a mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

The branch facilities of the YMCA of Central Kentucky vary slightly but all of them feature state-of-the-art workout amenities including free weights, cardio equipment, group exercise classes, aquatic facilities, locker rooms with showers and more.

To gain free entry to any of the facility branches during the Games, athletes or visitors just have to show their World Equestrian Games pass or ticket to Y staff upon entering the facility. There is no limit to how many times a guest can use the facilities, and even Lexington residents attending the Games are allowed access.

For more information about the YMCA of Central Kentucky and to view the location and details of each facility branch, click here.

Great Britain: Endurance WEG Team member back in the saddle

Equestrianteamgbr.co.uk - Full Article

2010-08-11

It takes a lot of grit and determination, not to mention physical stamina, to be an endurance rider at the top level, especially if you have just given birth to a daughter and intend to be on the team for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) to be held in Kentucky, USA in September.

Ros Clapp, 37, from Baltonsborough, Somerset, completed the 80km Endurance Ride at Barbary Castle on 7th August, with her team horse, Nazeeka, just 27 days after her second daughter, Jenna, was born. She then attended the team training day the following day, and Jenna came too – her first experience of crewing, though she slept through most of the action.

“I feel fine. I did some walking and kept active while I was pregnant and managed to stay reasonably fit. My physio said that running was not so good so now I am working on getting my core strength back, doing Pilates and my father-in-law has leant me his exercise bike!”, said Ros, who also has a 2 year old daughter, Polly.

“It was good to be back competing again. There was quite a bit of canter work on 80km ride and at the training day, which was good for my calves! Nazeeka was in good form and did all the work. My Mum and sister have been helping keep her fit and she did a 120km ride while I was not riding, so now she just needs some hill work to get her really fit for the WEG..."

Read more here:
http://www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk/news-detail.php?id=522

Mongol Derby 1000km horse race underway now in Mongolia

http://mongolderby.theadventurists.com/index.php?page=derby-news-release-launch

14 riders in contention at halfway stage...

The Mongol Derby 1000km horse race across Mongolia thundered out onto the Steppe on Saturday 7th August and the dramatic horseback adventure has already seen rider injuries, withdrawals, extreme fatigue and intense competition for first place.

Now just over halfway into the race, the leading riders have travelled well over 500km and reached horse station 16 out of a total of 25 along the route. There are two groups of seven riders still racing, camped overnight just one horse station apart, so as they sleep only 40 kilometres separates the whole field after 5 days of racing. The race will restart at dawn in Mongolia.

Nearly all the riders are reported to be showing clear signs of the physical strain. Kat Swigart, from the USA, is sporting a "double egg" bump to the head and a black eye after taking a tumble on Sunday. In the company of two other riders who alerted our medical team and dispatched them to check up on her, she has bravely continued none the worse.

The medical response services are provided by the Derby's Official Medical Partner – Prometheus, who are well known for delivering emergency medical support in remote environments such as the Mongolian steppe.

South African Elsa Post and British rider Anna Bradbury have called time on their competitive bid for Derby glory and elected to be transferred further up the course, giving them the chance to rest, re-group and re-mount when they are ready while the pack thunders on.

Unfortunately another South African Rider Alexandra van Heeren sustained a broken collarbone during pre-race training and was forced to retire from the race.

The training was held on the steppe by Maggie Pattinson, Chef d'Equipe of the British Home International Endurance Team since 2007 and endurance expert extraordinnaire. She is now travelling along the route of the Derby in a response vehicle, and reported earlier today:

"The race hotting up now Richard Sophie and Alisa left 10 mins ahead of Justin, Madonna and Saskia this morning. All in good spirits despite wet conditions, having achieved 4 stations yesterday.

"If spirits high, bodies showing some wear and tear, even Madonna is tired. The Dark Horse is Richard, who looks no different morning, noon or night".

Maggie's dark horse is Richard Dyer, a British rider currently in the leading pack – one to watch.

Justin Nelzen, a former US marine is the only other man competing in the race and has been a favourite of many. He has stated his intentions are to win, but he'll have to overcome Richard, and the other 12 female riders to win the 2010 Derby.

The riders can all be tracked online via their GPS Spot trackers, visit the Tracking Page to see who is winning.

Each Rider is raising at least £1000 for the official charities, Mercy Corps and AVSF so that the Mongol Derby makes a genuinely positive impact over and above the benefits of the race itself.

The Mongol Derby is organised by The Adventurists in partnership with Tengri Group in Mongolia.

New Zealand: Endurance Board comments on World Equestrian Games withdrawals

Horsetalk.co.nz - Full Article

August 11 2010

The Endurance Board of Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) has distanced itself from the controversy surrounding the withdrawal of two combinations from the World Equestrian Games.

Two-time national champion Jenny Champion and 2010 national champion Sue Reid each withdrew from the team after their first-choice grooms failed to gain selection.

The withdrawals have left New Zealand with three combinations in endurance in the Games in Kentucky, severely damaging the country's chances of team honours.

The Endurance Board, in a statement to members, noted the public discussion and debate around the withdrawals and voiced fears it could damage the sport's standing.

It said it wanted to reiterate to members that the Endurance Board held no authority over ESNZ High Performance and retained no position of influence over endurance high-performance selections or selection criteria for the Games...

Read more here:
http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/08/072.shtml

The First Barefoot Endurance Horse of Guatemala Goes to the WEG 2010

Easycareinc.com Blog - Full Story

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Kevin Myers

Candelita and Jaime Mansilla earned their place in the Guatemalan Team for the WEG 2010, on June 19th at the FEI 3* Event in El Caman Chimaltenango, with Easyboot Bares as back up.

We had three US FEI Officials attending the event, Dr. Mike Tomlinson, Teresa Cross and Sue Phillips helping us as Foreign Officials. And our own FEI 4* Judge Scarlet de Rodas was on location, who has participated in several FEI rides in the US, including the Git R Done in California last January.

Candelita has been shod her entire career she is now nine years old and has done endurance for four years. But we at Haras EL Pino Endurance have started experimenting with natural hoof care for about eight months with the broodmare band and non-competition horses. We were so impressed with the results that were now at the stage of trying it on our competition horses...

Read more here:
http://blog.easycareinc.com/blog/bootlegging/0/0/the-first-barefoot-endurance-horse-of-guatemala-goes-to-the-weg-2010

FEI Open European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders 2010, Kreuth, Germany

Horsesinthesouth.com - Full Article

TEAM FRANCE DOMINATES YET AGAIN – UAE TAKES OPEN INDIVIDUAL TITLE

The small village of Kreuth is any horse person’s dream – a complete village based entirely around equestrian sport. The venue is well established and has hosted Endurance, Eventing, Reining and Dressage International competitions, but this is the first time an FEI Championship has been hosted in Kreuth. The site, comprised of various arenas, cross country courses, a hotel and large airy barn for stabling, is nestled in the Bavarian countryside approximately two hours south of Munich (GER) on the south east edge of the Taubenbach Forest. It is a perfect venue for Endurance, with extensive vet-gate space, a flat grass trot-up area and ample parking for crew vehicles. The route is principally made up of gravel forest tracks.

Sixteen nations were entered for the FEI Open European Junior and Young Rider Championships with a total of 51 horse/rider combinations. Unfortunately three horses failed the pre-ride vetting, one horse each from Italy, Portugal and Hungary. The biggest impact of these vet-outs was for Hungary who had only brought three horses. The loss of their third horse would mean they would no longer be able to challenge for a team position and would now only field two individual riders. The usual European nations were out in force, although some with fewer riders than normal. Teams were entered from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Italy and Portugal. As this was an Open Championships there were some entries from further afield, namely Argentina, the United Arab Emirates and the USA, although none of these nations sent a team.

Read more here:
http://horsesinthesouth.com/blog/index.php/2010/08/09/fei-open-european-endurance-championships-for-juniors-and-young-riders-2010-kreuth-ger/

Young endurance rider secures record European 4th for Britain

Horseandhound.co.uk - Full Article

Sophie Montagne, H&H newsdesk
9 August, 2010

Endurance rider Beth Langley secured Britain's highest placing ever at a young rider Europeans, coming fourth at the championships in Kreuth, Germany on 5 August.

Nineteen-year-old Beth, riding HS Ametista, covered the 120km (75 miles) at an average speed of 12.3mph, hassling a strong French team all the way.

"I was stabled opposite the French and, as my pony is only 14hh, I don't think they saw her as much of a threat," Beth said.

But, riding as an individual, she was free to follow her own tactics, antagonise the French and push for a placing.

"I stuck behind the French team for the first loop and let them do all the work which annoyed them," she said...

Read more here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/300831.html